US embassy cable - 04BRASILIA2263

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 002263 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2014 
TAGS: PREL, BR, Bilateral Relations with the US 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT LULA 
DA SILVA, 2 SEPTEMBER 2004 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN J. DANILOVICH. REASONS: 1.4 
(B)(D). 
 
1.  (U)  Ambassador formally presented his credentials to 
President Lula da Silva in a ceremony at the Planalto Palace 
in the afternoon of 2 September 2004.  As per Brazilian 
protocol custom, Ambassador was one of three chiefs of 
mission presenting credentials to the president (the 
Venezuelan ambassador proceeded and the Hungarian came 
after), with each ambassador meeting with the president 
separately and then, in turn, inspecting troops and hearing 
national anthems on the ramp of the palace's main entrance. 
 
2. (SBU) On receiving Ambassador Danilovich and a delegation 
of senior mission officers, Lula welcomed the Ambassador to 
Brazil and launched immediately into a friendly question and 
answer session on the status of the U.S. presidential 
campaign.  Ambassador explained the historical function of 
the conventions, noting that in modern times they have become 
pro forma "coronations," but in the past they were actual 
venues for candidate selection.  Lula mused that Brazil's 
party conventions are also pro forma, but last a maximum of a 
single day.  Lula then asked which states would be decisive 
in terms of votes.  Ambassador discussed the battlefield 
states and also the general importance of his home state of 
California.  He invited the president to visit California, 
meet with the governor and California companies with 
technological, agricultural and commercial interests in 
Brazil, and address Stanford University. 
 
3. (U) Turning to the upcoming UNGA and the 20 September 
conference in New York on international hunger initiatives 
hosted by Brazil, Lula said Brazil is expecting over fifty 
heads of state to participate.  He asked about U.S. 
representation, and whether Secretary Powell would attend the 
UNGA.  Ambassador Danilovich explained that President Bush 
would be formally represented by a presidential envoy, 
Agriculture Secretary Veneman, who would be prepared to read 
a message from the President. 
 
4. (U)  Lula turned to the subject of Brazil's economy, 
voicing his satisfaction at the positive indicators on growth 
coming in over recent weeks.  Lula outlined the history of 
boom-bust economic recovery plans in Brazil over the past 
twenty years, and said his mission is to establish a 
sustained and rational growth dynamic that will be the basis 
for a realistic and healthy economic model for Brazil over 
the long term. 
 
5. (C)  In a pull aside with Ambassador Danilovich at the 
meeting's conclusion, Lula noted that he had always been 
treated with respect and kindness by President Bush, for 
which Lula warmly expressed his gratitude. 
 
6. (C) Comment:  President Lula was friendly, animated and 
relaxed, taking 15 minutes to converse with the Ambassador in 
an event that often lasts only the time needed for 
pleasantries and handshakes.  He used the meeting to register 
a message about his intention to stay the course in an 
economic policy he feels is being vindicated, and to make 
clear that he is seeking the highest possible level of USG 
representation at the Brazil-sponsored hunger conference in 
New York.  It is evident that Lula feels strongly about the 
subject of the conference and also has his personal and 
international prestige linked to the event. In that sense he 
may be concerned about a USG presence that may appear to him 
as limited in the context of a heads of state meeting on 
American soil. 
 
DANILOVICH